Project: DENISON COLLEGE, BATHURST-NEW GYMNASIUM AND PERFORMANCE LEARNING

CLIENT: Department of Education

BUDGET: $8.4 million

COMPLETION: May 2015

Denison College has over 1600 students, a college teaching staff of 121 and support staff of 29. There are two year 7-12 campuses with a shared senior curriculum. Meeting the needs of such a large number of students could only be achieved with the upgrade of the existing premises.

The upgrade consisted of addition of new gymnasium, sporting and general classroom complex as well as upgraded “Performing Arts Theatre and Dance” studio.

Throughout the eighteen month building project, this was done in a complex environment - a major construction project that was taking place inside a large high school operating during the school hours.

The external walls of the gymnasium and the wall ‘pop-outs’ were constructed from 200mm thick concrete precast panels fixed to steel portal frame.

The area under the gymnasium was utilized as a storage area as well as location for water tanks.

The gymnasium was linked to the existing “Assembly Hall” via the addition of “General Learning Space” building.

The upgrade of the college also comprised of refurbished toilet/shower facilities of the “Assembly Hall” as well as extension of the hall to accommodate the “Movement Studio”.